If you want to know the warmest place in Malaysia in December, the honest answer has two parts. For raw air temperature, almost every lowland town sits between 30 and 32°C, because Malaysia is two to seven degrees north of the equator and varies by only a few degrees through the year. For warm and usable weather, the answer is the west coast, because the northeast monsoon drenches the east coast while Langkawi and Penang stay sunny. The ranking below combines both measures. All temperatures are long-term approximate values; hotel rates are approximate and as of 2026.
The Ranking at a Glance
| Rank | Region | Day temp | Night temp | December rain | Sea | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Langkawi | 31-32°C | 24-25°C | low (approximately 50-100mm) | 29°C | Warmest and driest beach |
| 2 | Penang | 31-32°C | 25°C | low (approximately 80-150mm) | 29°C | Warm, dry, great food |
| 3 | Kuala Lumpur | 32°C | 23-24°C | moderate (approximately 150-250mm) | n/a | Hottest city, afternoon storms |
| 4 | Malacca and Ipoh | 31-32°C | 23-24°C | moderate | n/a | Warm and walkable |
| 5 | Kota Kinabalu | 30-31°C | 24°C | high (approximately 200-300mm) | 28°C | Warm but showery |
| 6 | East coast (Kota Bharu, Kuantan) | 28-30°C | 23°C | very high | 27°C | Warm, but monsoon |
| 7 | Cameron Highlands | 22-24°C | 14-16°C | moderate | n/a | Coolest |
1. Langkawi: Warm, Dry and Flat Seas
Langkawi is the clear first choice. The island sits in the Andaman rain shadow of the monsoon, so December brings blue skies, a flat sea near 29°C and daily island-hopping. Pantai Cenang is the main beach strip, Pantai Tengah is quieter, and Tanjung Rhu and Datai Bay are the most scenic. Our pick of hotel: Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa at Cenang, which costs much more in Christmas week. Budget travellers have Sandy Beach Resort; check current rates on Booking.com. See our Langkawi guide, the Langkawi beaches page and hotels in Langkawi. For tours, book Langkawi tours ahead.
2. Penang: Equal Warmth, Better Food
Penang is almost as warm as Langkawi, with about 31-32°C in the day and nights near 25°C. December is among its driest months. Batu Ferringhi has the beach, while George Town has hawker food, murals and temples to enjoy when the midday heat peaks. Our pick: Hard Rock Hotel Penang at Batu Ferringhi, from approximately MYR 400-700 per night. For heritage atmosphere, Hotel Penaga in George Town. See hotels in Penang, the Penang guide and Penang tours.
3. Kuala Lumpur: Hottest City, With Afternoon Storms
KL often posts the highest daytime readings of any major city, reaching 32-33°C with humidity that makes it feel hotter. December has more cloud and showers than Langkawi, but storms are short, and mornings are bright. Our pick: Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur at KLCC, with a pool and Twin Towers views. See where to stay in Kuala Lumpur and hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
4. Malacca and Ipoh: Warm Heritage Stops
Both towns match KL for heat and are a little drier on average. Malacca’s Dutch Square and Jonker Street are easy to cover on foot in the morning and evening. Ipoh’s old town and cave temples suit slower days. Heritage guesthouses in Malacca’s Chinatown typically cost approximately MYR 150-250 per night, as of 2026. See our Malacca guide and Ipoh guide.
5. Kota Kinabalu: Warm Sea, Wetter Sky
Borneo is warm, with the sea around 28°C, but December is part of the wetter season, so the sky is the issue. Mornings are often clear, with showers arriving after lunch, and island trips depend on conditions. Our pick: Hyatt Regency Kinabalu on the waterfront. See our Kota Kinabalu guide.
6. The East Coast: Warm Air, Wrong Season
Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan stay near 28-30°C, but the monsoon brings heavy rain, strong swell and flooded roads at times. The island resorts at Perhentian and Redang are closed. We would not plan a December holiday here, though Kota Bharu is functional as a cultural stop. See our Kota Bharu guide.
7. Cameron Highlands: The Opposite Answer
If your question is really “where can I escape the heat?”, Cameron Highlands is the reverse of this ranking: approximately 22-24°C by day, 14-16°C at night, with tea estates and Mossy Forest walks. Copthorne Hotel Cameron Highlands runs approximately MYR 280-550 per night as of 2026, and rooms fill early for Christmas week. See Cameron Highlands tours and the Cameron Highlands guide.
How to Use This Ranking
For a beach: Langkawi, then Penang. For a city break in heat: KL, Malacca and Ipoh. For cooler air: Cameron Highlands. Avoid the east coast and Sarawak in December. The weather data above can be cross-checked with the Malaysian Meteorological Department. Our December guide adds events and costs, the Christmas guide covers festive logistics, and the winter sun guide compares the whole November to February window. If you are weighing Malaysia against a neighbour, read Malaysia vs Thailand for winter sun.
December is also the most expensive month, so being flexible by a week helps. Late November and the first week of December have the same warmth at lower prices, and January is similar weather with fewer crowds after the first week.